Entrepreneur Marilyn Smolenski has announced her intention to run as a Republican for the 55th District seat in the Illinois House of Representatives.

The 55th is centered in Park Ridge and Des Plaines, including smaller parts of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village and Edison Park in Chicago’s 41st Ward.

Smolenski, who lives in Park Ridge with her husband, Mark, and two children, is running on a platform of protecting families from confiscatory taxes and smaller state government that allows our communities to flourish.

She supports a one percent hard cap on residential property taxes – a policy currently in place in Indiana and California.

“The state is taxing away our home equity in Cook County,” Smolenski said. “Our property taxes are the highest in the nation. It is unconscionable that we are paying for our homes twice over, with mortgage payments that are more taxes than principal and interest.

“Our home values are stagnant here because our property taxes are so high.”

The 55th House District is currently represented by State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-55th), who voted this summer to raise property taxes on suburban Cook County homeowners – “backing a suburban bailout of the profligate, corrupt Chicago Public Schools (CPS),” said Smolenski. That measure pushed $17 billion in CPS debt onto suburban property owners, she added. It also redistributed state money for public schools to CPS from suburban school districts, including Des Plaines CCSD 62, Maine Township 207, East Maine 63, CCSD 59 and Park Ridge CCSD 64.

“The ‘Chicago Democrat Machine’ handpicked Marty Moylan to represent our suburban communities,” Smolenski said. “So we shouldn’t be surprised that, when he is in Springfield, Moylan stands up for Chicago and against us.”

A press release distributed by Smolenski says: “This summer, Moylan was caught opposing a CPS bailout on his website for constituents while he simultaneously voted for one, at the behest of House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).”

Smolenski said: “Madigan has bankrolled Moylan’s three campaigns for state representative and will also be funding this one.”

The press release continues: “Moylan is proud of Madigan’s support for him. In fact, he’s among the state’s most vocal backers of Madigan.

“Moylan was recorded (literally) leading cheers for Madigan at a rally in Springfield last spring.

“Months later, Madigan would pass a massive 32 percent income tax hike that will cost Northwest Cook County taxpayers an additional $435 million this year.

“Park Ridge ($1,328), Arlington Heights ($1,017), Elk Grove Village ($704), and Des Plaines ($573) taxpayers will all pay more because of the income tax hike.”

Originally from the Gulf Coast and Austin, TX, Smolenski holds degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Governor’s State University. She attends St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Parish, volunteers for the USO and Special Olympics and is a member of the Republican Women of Park Ridge.

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PAID FOR BY CITIZENS FOR MARILYN SMOLENSKI. A COPY OF OUR REPORT FILED WITH THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS (OR WILL BE) AVAILABLE ON THE BOARD’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE OR FOR PURCHASE FROM THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.